Joel Batalha

Year 12 Student Manager - Brentwood Secondary College

When did you graduate?

2003

Course you completed?

Bachelor of Teaching (secondary)
Bachelor of Arts majoring in drama

Organisation that you are currently working for:

Brentwood Secondary College

How long have you been working for this organisation?

6 years

Position title and short job description:

Currently Year 12 Student Manager. I work in partnership with a colleague in running the day-to-day of all events and concerns related to Year 12 students. This includes pastoral/well being and discipline.

I also work as the Head of Drama and Director of the performing arts extra-curricular program at the school. I am also a member of school council.

Working highlight so far:

Directing the school plays and musicals that I have been involved in for the past 6 years. Each one of these is special and will be a highlight for me forever.

What are the things you enjoy most about your job?

Watching the students learn and grow through performing arts is by far my most rewarding aspect of my job. It is excellent to see students develop from timid little actors to stars.

An area in which you have needed assistance:

The one area I have had to work on over the years has been my ability, or inability, to detach myself personally from situations that have arisen at my school. Learning to be adaptable and know that sometimes, things just happen.

What do you intend to do in the future?

Planning too far into the future can be futile, especially when you don’t know what challenges and/or opportunities will come your way. I will certainly stay in the profession in some form. I aspire to do some top level leadership role; however, I am also interested in further study in my field and perhaps looking at working more in the theatre world. I plan to travel and learn more.

#1 tip for current students studying your course:

You never stop learning. Be open minded and prepared to learn on your feet. Textbooks can help find the answers, but it is actually getting out there and walking the walk that is where the true learning lies. Positive relationships are pivotal aspects to this theory. An ability to relate to people and the drive to work hard to ensure you get the best out of people is very important. This starts with you. The best advice I can offer is to challenge yourself to try new things and to get involved wherever you can. If you do, it is one of the most rewarding professions you can work in.